NAMBI: North American Moths Backyard Inventory

While birds continue to be my number one obsession, I also have an inordinate interest in other creatures of the air. While I know very little about moths, I find myself mesmerized by them and wanting to learn more about the species that inhabit my neighborhood.

If, like me, you are fascinated by these winged wonders of the night, NAMBI (the North American Moths Backyard Inventory) provides you an opportunity to contribute useful new information about the distribution and abundance of North American moths. You don’t have to be an expert to make a useful contribution, only a child-like fascination, a certain amount a dedication, and a willingness to share your information. Just think of the possibilities: while you may lucky to record 100 species of birds in your backyard in a good year, it may be entirely possible for you to document 1,000 or more species of moths!

From the Background section of the NAMBI blog:

There is little left to learn about the range or abundance of North American birds. Butterflies, mammals, herpetiles, fish have been fairly well-documented. But participants in NAMBI not only contribute to a valuable project, they also have the potential to make exciting discoveries right on their own home turf. New county records, second, third or fourth state records, these are entirely within the realm of possibility for NAMBI participants. So little is known about many of our species.

Data collected through this project will be put to use in scientific research or other initiatives, such as the forthcoming Peterson Field Guide to Moths of Northeastern North America by David Beadle and Seabrooke Leckie (out spring 2012). Studies have shown that insect abundance has been on the decline across North America, and so it’s important that we learn more about moths and other insects.

This is a great citizen-science opportunity. I encourage all backyard naturalists to participate.